A quasiparticle-cluster-vibration model for odd-A nuclei

A quasicluster-vibration model (QCVM) for odd-A nuclei is developed, the illustrative applications are performed and the main features are discussed. The quasicluster consists of number-projected one plus three quasiparticles, which is equivalent to a zero-plus-one-broken-pair state. QCVM enables one to make a systematic study of sequences of isotopes or isotones with 1, 3, 5,… valence-shell particles. The relationship of the QCVM to other phenomenological models and its microscopic foundation are discussed.     

Os(VIII)-catalysed oxidation of sulfides by sodium salt of N-chlorobenzenesulfonamide

Catalytic activity of Os(VIII) in the oxidation of some twenty organic sulfides with sodium salt of N-chlorobenzenesulfonamide (CAB) has been investigated in alkaline (pH8.7) t-butanol–water (1:1 v/v) medium. Significant retarding influence of [OH⁻] on the reactivity is exhibited. The catalysed reaction is strongly accelerated in the presence of Hg(II). Imperfections are observed in the linear Hammett relationship in the case of –NO₂ substituents.     

Raman spectroscopic investigation on the microenvironment of the liver tissues of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) due to titanium dioxide exposure

Nano titanium dioxide (nTiO₂), generally considered to be toxicologically inert, is manufactured in large quantities and extensively applied in consumer products. The small size and large surface area endow them with an active group or intrinsic toxicity. Advances in instrumentation are making Raman spectroscopy the tool of choice for an increasing number of (bio) chemical applications. One of the great advantages of this technique is its ability to provide information on the concentration, structure and interaction of biochemical molecules in their microenvironments within intact cells and tissues, non-destructively. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), one of the most important vertebrate model organisms used in developmental biology, are increasingly used in biomedical research, particularly as a model of human disease. In the present work, an attempt is made to study the effect of titanium dioxide, both nano and bulk, on the microenvironment of the liver tissues of Zebrafish using FT-Raman spectroscopy. The results of the present study suggest that TiO₂ exposure demonstrate a marked influence on the microenvironments of the liver tissues of Zebrafish. A shift to a higher wavenumber and an increase in the intensity of the band at ∼1087 cm⁻¹ in the TiO₂ exposed tissues suggest that some of the conformational changes resulting from the alkali recovery process takes place due to TiO₂ exposure. The decreased intensity ratio (I₃₂₂₀/I₃₄₀₀) observed in the titanium-exposed tissues suggests a decreased water domain size, which could be interpreted in terms of weaker hydrogen-bonded molecular species of water in the TiO₂ exposed tissues. The observed shift of COO⁻ bands to higher frequencies shows the disruption of salt bridges as a result of a change in the oppositely charged partners and due to the enhanced random coil conformation. The variation in the intensity ratio of the tyrosyl doublet (I₈₅₈/I₈₂₅) indicates variation in the hydrogen bonding of the phenolic hydroxyl group due to TiO₂ exposure. The results further suggest that the microenvironments are greatly altered due to titanium nano exposure when compared to titanium bulk. In conclusion, the results indicate that FT-Raman spectroscopy might be a useful tool for rapid assessment of nano particle biological interactions.     

LIGHT SCATTERING SPECTROPHOTOMETRY FROM ISOLATED CONTROL AND TRIAZOLE-TREATED CHLOROPLASTS

Light scattering relaxation spectrophotometry has proven to be a useful technique to monitor rapid cytophysical changes in chloroplast suspensions brought about by flash illumination. This paper compares the Mg-ATP dependent light scattering behaviour of cholorplasts isolated from control and triazole-treated wheat seedlings. Our results suggest that triazole-treatment enhances Mg-ATP dependent activity. This same enhancement in control chloroplasts can be brought about by introducing potassium ion in the presence of valinomycin. Therefore, the potassium ion might account for part of the stress resistance conferred by triazole treatment.     

Shadowgraphic imaging of material removal during laser drilling with a long pulse excimer laser

After the development of a novel XeCl excimer laser with a nearly diffraction-limited beam and 175 ns pulse length, research was done on different industrial applications of this laser. Hole drilling, one of these applications, was studied extensively. A better understanding of the drilling process is necessary to optimise the drilling efficiency and to control the quality of the holes. A shadowgraphic imaging technique was used for studying the removal of material from the hole and the absorption of the laser beam by this removed material. Images were made at successive times both during and after the laser pulse.In drilling of thin foils, it was shown that the material was ejected mainly after the laser pulse. A comparison of different materials showed that the drilling process should be optimised for each material independently. Furthermore, the plume was found to be not fully transparent for processing materials with a strong absorption line at or near the laser wavelength. The correlation between material and drilling speed suggests improved energy transfer and improved melt ejection for the materials with this absorption. PACS 42.62.Cf; 52.38.Dx; 52.38.Mf     

Fermion-boson coupling model (QCVM) applied to odd Zn isotopes

Low lying energy levels and transition probabilities of^63,65,67Zn are calculated in the Quasicluster-vibration model (QCVM). This model is an extension of the Clustervibration model (CVM) for three-particle-cluster vibration coupling. Instead of a three-particle cluster, now a one broken pair (number projected three quasiparticle) cluster is coupled to phonon states. It turns out that the sequence of isotopes may be described with one set of parameters, along the same line as previously used in the CVM. The resulting spectra and electromagnetic properties, for positive and negative parity states of odd Zn isotopes, compare with experimental data equally well as large shell-model calculations; this seems to justify the extension of the CVM to these nuclei with more than three particles or holes beyond a closed shell.     

Iinelastic electron scattering calculations on N = 50 isotones

The first excited 2⁺, 3^? and 4⁺ levels in ⁸⁸Sr, ⁹⁰Zr and ⁹²Mo are described by the seniority υ = 2 shell model and by the two-quasiparticle BCS model. In both models the DWBA cross sections for inelastic electron scattering are calculated. It appears that both models often give the same cross sections, the overall normalisation being then the difference. The agreement with the experimental data for ⁹⁰Zr and ⁹²Mo for the shell model case is much better than for the BCS model.     

Locally anisotropic toposes

This paper continues the investigation of isotropy theory for toposes. We develop the theory of isotropy quotients of toposes, culminating in a structure theorem for a class of toposes we call locally anisotropic. The theory has a natural interpretation for inverse semigroups, which clarifies some aspects of how inverse semigroups and toposes are related.     

Direct equilibration of soil water for delta(18)O analysis and its application to tracer studies

Current methods for stable oxygen isotopic (delta (18)O) analysis of soil water rely on separation of water from the soil matrix before analysis. These separation procedures are not only time consuming and require relatively large samples of soil, but also have been shown to introduce a large potential source of error. Current research at Queen's University Belfast is focused on using direct equilibration of CO(2) with the pore water to eliminate this extraction step using the automated Multiprep system and a Micromass Prism III isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). The findings of this research indicate the method is less time consuming, more reliable, and reproducible to within accepted limits (+/-0.1% per thousand delta (18)O). In this study the direct equilibration method is used to analyse delta (18)O tracer profiles in the unsaturated zone of field soils, concurrently with chloride tracer profiles, which can be used to assess infiltration rates and mechanisms through the unsaturated zone. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.